SEASON 2022-23 ROUND 6
DECEMBER 4, 2022
DIVISION ONE
OLD SCOTCH CC 1/140 (15.1)
def. OLD TRINITY 8/138 (40)
N Sparks 59*, S Shearer 3/39
After losing the toss on a dry surface, that looked likely to break up as the day unfolded, and with the temperature in the mid-30s, the OSCC First XI worked exceptionally hard to restrict Trinity to a score of 138 off their allotted 40 overs. Will Clark (2/17) and Lachie Francis (1/21) toiled with the new ball and were helped by some great catches from captain Sam Shearer and debutant John Flynn, always a massive win on a tough surface to bowl on. Shearer (3/39), Charlie Cormack (1/17), Will Bonwick (1/28) and Joel Bennett (0/13) all played their efforts and were well supported in the field, in what was a great 40 over effort in tough conditions.
The message from the skipper was to be positive and play the game the OSCC way in the run chase, but also that the increasingly low and slow wicket may provide some challenges, with in-form Hamish Francis (29) and Nick Sparks (59*) opening up the innings. Francis immediately took control and piled the pressure on the Trinity attack, taking 24 runs from the opening over. It was a brief cameo of 29 from Francis, but sapped the OT attack of any confidence they may have had and broke the back of the small run chase. After his dismissal, Sparks was joined by Shearer (43*) and the pair were rarely troubled by a fairly dispirited Trinity attack. Boundaries flowed and the total was reached in only the 16th over, with a bonus point secured.
It was a commanding performance from the side and an encouraging sign, with players still to come back and others eagerly awaiting their chance with the bat. Melbourne High 2 on the Meares this Sunday, as the boys look to continue improving and play some good cricket before the Christmas break.
— Sam Shearer (1XI Captain)
DIVISION TWO
OLD SCOTCH CC 4/134 (39.4)
def. MELBOURNE UNI 133 (38.1)
M Griffiths 51, G Bennett 2/11
2XI looked to bounce back against a very strong Melbourne Uni side. In what always promises to be a tantalizing contest, sunday was no different as the two teams battled out in an epic.
Losing the toss, the boys were sent into the field on an absolute scorcher of a day. Despite the glaring heat, the lads toiled away and seemingly put us in a extremely strong position. Debutants Nick Buckley (1/38 off 8) and Alex Zotov (1/29 off 7) impressed with the ball, however it was the experience of Gary Bennett (2/11 off 8 and a run out), James Halse (2/16 off 5) and Will Easton (2/14 off 5.1) who shined. An exceptional display in the field ensured that Melb Uni were all out for 133 in the 38th over.
The team was confident if it could bat the 40, it would win the game. A simple equation, which did not initially go to plan as Charlie Schilling was dismissed with the second ball of the over. Following the loss of Schillo, Mark Griffiths (51) and Tom Whitelaw (30) battled away in the heat, fighting exhaustion and strong bowling to have the score at 2/83 when Griff was dismissed in the 26th over, plenty to still do, but importantly with wickets in the shed. A mini collapse including the run out of set batsman Tom Whitelaw, coupled with the introduction of the ‘secret weapon’ of Melb Uni (an extremely handy premier 2XI spinner) left things in the balance at 4/96 with just over 10 overs to go. Eddie Shearer (29*) and Oliver McLeish (11*) withstood the pain and battled away as the run-rate began to increase. Needing 8 to win off the final over, Eddie took the game away from Melb Uni taking a 3 off the first ball, and a nicely timed 4 off the 5th ball to make the remaining runs. The win is vitally important to our season and the character shown by the lads proves we are once again one of the strongest teams in the competition.
— John Stavris (2XI Captain)
Comments